Posted on 17th November 2021
What is Circular Economy Hotspot?
Now in its fifth year, the Circular Economy Hotspot has become a flagship event on the circular economy calendar. First organised by the Netherlands in 2016, the event has travelled to Scotland, Luxembourg Belgium and Catalonia.
Circular Economy Hotspot is an opportunity to highlight ground-breaking circular economic initiatives, best practices and innovation, with each host country putting together a unique programme that highlights how their country or region is contributing to the transition towards a circular economy.
In 2023, for the first time, Dublin will host the Hotspot alongside two other global regions: Lagos, Nigeria and Chile, with events aligned and spread out during the year to generate increased impact. This unique structure will create an international network of circular economic events across the globe. Dublin will therefore not only represent Irish circular economic innovation in 2023, but will become the focal point of circularity across Europe.
Why Dublin?
Since 2020, both Dublin and Ireland have witnessed an enormous drive to invest, share knowledge and foster the circular economy. In particular Ireland has seen tangible action and strategies laid out across policy, innovation and citizen engagement. As the capital city, Dublin has the capacity to showcase the impact of these recent flagship circular economy policy measures and funds led by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Environmental Protection Agency.
While Dublin has a lot to offer as the host of the Circular Economy Hotspot, the event has a lot of value to bring to Ireland in turn. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that annually Ireland uses 100 million tonnes of materials, and has one of the highest levels of consumption in Europe. Statistics aside, the circular economy also has the potential to address key social issues across our society, such as issues with housing, food systems, transport and agriculture while creating green jobs.
Hosting the European Circular Economy Hotspot in 2023 will bring international visibility to circular economic initiatives here in Ireland, and will create international opportunities for Dublin and the greater Dublin region. It will also provide a platform for Irish organizations keen to make the circular transition, creating a circular legacy for Irish citizens and businesses.
What is the ambition?
Circular Economy Hotspot Dublin will build on the momentum of recent developments, harnessing the cultural influences that are unique to Dublin. The event will revolve around three key themes: Policy in Practice, Citizen Engagement and Innovation & Collaboration. These themes will be explored across four focus areas: Social Enterprise, Design & Manufacturing, the Built Environment and Food Systems & the Bioeconomy.
The event will bring together pioneers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, citizens and industry from Ireland and beyond. Furthermore, through a programme of citizen engagement, Circular Economy Hotspot Dublin will aim to bring the circular economy to life, making it relevant to the day to day life of Dubliners.
The Winning Entry
This week the jury, consisting of previous CE Hotspot event organisers, came together to decide on the location of the Hotspot event in 2023. The jury consisted of Holland Circular Hotspot (2016), the government of Luxemburg (2017), Zero Waste Scotland (2018), the host from Catalonia (2020/21) and North Rhine Westphalia (CE Hotspot 2022).
The application was successfully lead by The Rediscovery Centre with the Eastern & Midlands Regional Waste Management Planning Office (EMRWMP), Dublin City Council and Circuleire. It is supported by 30 organizations from Government, Public-Sector, Industry, 3rd Level Education and Social Enterprise. Supporters included The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Department of Agriculture, the East-Midlands Regional Assembly and the Environmental Protection Agency.
